Control Number

Job Announcement Number

Job Overview

Summary

The U. S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides policy-neutral data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. EIA provides a wide range of information and data products covering energy production, stocks, demand, imports, exports, and prices; and prepares analyses and special reports on topics of current interest. For more information please visit EIA's website at: http://www.eia.gov

The Office of Communications and Outreach provides leadership and direction in creating and managing comprehensive and integrated communications, outreach, and customer relations strategies that advance EIA’s mission to provide policy-neutral data, forecasts, and analyses to internal and external groups. The Office represents EIA in communications with DOE’s Office of Public Affairs, other government agencies, the news media, and other external customers.

The person selected for this position will advise, assist and represent the Team Leader, Content Operations Team in organizing, coordinating, monitoring and controlling many of the activities in support of EIA’s public affairs activities. He or she will carry out a wide variety of complex assignments of broad scope to meet the objectives of the office. These involve coordinating activities and schedules relating to proposed office objectives and policy statements, and performing a variety of special projects and studies.

Duties

The person selected for this position will assist the Office of Communications in planning, organizing and directing the activities of the organization on a day-to-day basis, assuring timely and effective reviews, comments, and concurrences on correspondence, reports, press releases, and communication plans. Research, write, and/or edit talking points, briefing documents, brochures, reports, web content, and similar products for general and specialized audiences as diverse as the Congress, the Administration, private industry, financial markets, the media, academia, and primary/secondary teachers and students. You will also be responsible for providing information of particular value and interest to EIA employees.

Serve as a technical expert, writer, and editor of products that articulate, interpret, and explain complex energy programs, and research findings. Develop and conduct customer satisfaction surveys of EIA products, evaluate results and make recommendations as appropriate. You will work on communications issues that affect the communications and outreach policies and programs. Track and provide necessary follow-up on commitments made to or by management and ensure that information is clear, complete and concise. Prepare reports on various activities and analyze impact of certain aspects of the information in order that management is apprised of material prior to use. Provide advice and counsel on news media activities and monitor the development of public information activities related to program offices' initiatives and projects.

Perform liaison assignments with appropriate high level officials within and outside of EIA to keep them informed of EIA information policies. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of the news media, public interest groups, or individuals of the general public interested or affected by EIA program elements, creating meaningful communications interchanges between these constituencies and the responsible EIA program officials. Stay abreast of programs and keeps management informed of new developments and potential information problems.

Key Requirements

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as the following Selective Placement Factors.

Selective Placement Factors are knowledge, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard, but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of a particular position. Applicants who do not meet a selective factor are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are:

Writing or leading the development of articles, news releases, talking points, audio and video scripts, and social media and web content to specialized audiences about energy issues;

Writing and editing a variety of articles about energy policy and analysis; Conducting outreach efforts to energy-related agencies, organizations and policies-makers;

Maintaining effective working relationships with representatives of print and broadcast media; and

Preparing top-level officials for radio and/or television appearances or other news media interviews.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You are NOT required to provide a separate narrative written response. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below:

1. Knowledge of policies, products, and critical energy issues in order to effectively respond to requests for information from media representatives, other governmental entities, and the general public.2. Knowlege of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of communication that enables the public affairs specialist to function as the technical authority responsible for the development and execution of plans for dissemination of written and oral information to encourage groups and individuals within the EIA to adopt program results developed from public input.

3. Knowledge of writing and editing for print and electronic media. Broad knowledge of, and experience in, writing and/or editing material related to energy, sciences, and economics. Specialized knowledge of English grammar, Government style, and effective online presentation/writing techniques.4. Knowledge of, and skilled in, the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of external and internal communications and outreach efforts, utilizing both traditional and social media, in order to function as an expert in planning and carrying out outreach programs of national scope and significance.

5. Skill in interpreting, synthesizing, expressing, and presenting highly technical energy data, analyses and complex analytical information for a variety of audiences, including the general public.

6. Skill in oral and written communications to communicate with peers and high level officials from within and outside EIA to exchange information, coordinate and execute assignments or resolve problems

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements for consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Although a degree is not required, your educational background will be strongly considered in the evaluation of your overall qualifications for this position. Supporting documentation of your education and training is appreciated, even though not required for this position. Please fax all supporting documents in accordance with the instructions provided under Required Documents in the "How to Apply" section.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is not covered under the bargaining unit of NTEU.

Additional Information

What To Expect Next

After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in USAJOBS. You can review your status in USAJOBS at any time. You may also elect to receive status updates via e-mail by changing the notification settings in your USAJOBS profile. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.

BENEFITS

The Department of Energy offers comprehensive and competitive benefits.

Other Information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.

If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.

More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

Some positions may require completion of a probationary period or a background investigation.

Males must abide by Selective Service registration regulations. To learn more about this requirement, visit the Selective Service website's Who Must Register page.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete online application no later than 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete application prior to the closing time (regardless of when you started) the application system will not allow you to finish. Requests for extensions will not be granted so please begin the application process allowing yourself enough time to finish the application. Our application system displays a deadline timer in the top-left corner of the screen for your reference.

Steps to submit a complete application:

You must have a USAJOBS account and be logged in.

You must have a completed résumé. Please note that some DOE offices do not accept uploaded résumés and require that you have a completed résumé within your USAJOBS profile using the Résumé Builder (click the link for more information).

Once you are logged in and all of your application materials ready, click the Apply Now button.

You must respond to all application assessment questions, carefully following all instructions provided.

You will then be asked to upload supporting documentation, which may include (but is not limited to): transcripts, portfolio samples, certifications, and other supporting documents.

IMPORTANT: In the final step of the application process you will be shown a copy of your resume and all the information you entered during the application process--YOU ARE NOT DONE YET! You must click the 'Finish' button at the bottom of this final page and receive confirmation that your application has been received. If you do not click 'Finish', your application will not be received. Your USAJOBS status page may show a complete application even if you have not fully completed the final step of the application process.

If your résumé does not support the responses in your application questionnaire, or if you fail to submit required documentation BEFORE the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NEED HELP?

If you experience any difficulties with the application process (anything after you have clicked the Apply Now button), please contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement between normal business hours. If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account profile issues, or Résumé Builder help, please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center or e-mail USAJOBS3.0@opm.gov.

If you cannot apply online because of a disability, please contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement during normal business hours.

How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements.

If you meet the qualifications requirements and are found to be among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review.

If your résumé is incomplete or does not support the responses in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit required documentation BEFORE the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted.

Required Documents

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

If you are unsure, click the link for each document type to read more.

ALL APPLICANTS:Résumé supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.

Applicants using education to qualify (if applicable):Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and grade. Education may not be applicable for some jobs at higher grade levels. Please see the Education section for more information.

Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. Certified verification of a disability from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal, state, or District of Columbia agency or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits will be required.